Diminutive English rose, JL
Simpson, was stolen away by a giant nomad and replanted in a southern land
filled with gum trees and kangaroos. She quickly grasped the meaning of G’day and mate whilst steadfastly refusing all
attempts to convert her to Vegemite. She loves sharing tales about unexpected
twists of fate. Holding on to a steadfast belief every obstacle can be
overcome, she spends her moments of solitude creating adventures where mystery
and mayhem collide. Please welcome Janet as my Wednesday guest.
****
Slops Up!
When Judy offered me a spot on her blog I was delighted and
a little bit concerned. What on earth could I write for a blog with the name
stew in the title? My lovely husband is
the cook at my house. The man is a magician. He spends hours reading up on
recipes and experimenting with new flavors. We rarely eat out, and why would we
when I have my own personal chef.
When we were first married, and our boys were little, I was
the homemaker, chief cook and bottle washer.
I used to announce that dinner was ready by yelling, ‘slops up,” which
might give you some idea about why he took the apron off me. It’s not that I
can’t cook, it’s just not something I enjoy doing, unless it’s dessert. I make
a killer lemon meringue pie, but you can’t live on pie. When I went back to full time work we
reversed roles and a chef was born. My husband had hidden talents that even he
knew nothing about. Once he discovered his culinary bent I was happy to step
back and let him go for it.
My aversion to cooking even spills into my writing. I’ve
never had a heroine who can create a meal anyone would actually want to eat. In fact I kind of like writing anti-heroines. In my new book, Lost Cause, Daisy Dunlop is hopeless in the kitchen but her husband
loves her anyway. When you write stories with a humorous bent it’s fun to
create characters with flaws. Burnt food, inappropriate clothing and a woman
with an aversion to physical exercise is a great foil for an immaculately
dressed male PI with a love for the good things and a lifetime membership at
the local gym.
Before anyone points the finger, Daisy is not based on me.
My cooking has never poisoned anyone, I have a unique sense of style and my
personal trainer will confirm that I am fully paid up member of the local gym. Also,
I have never been shot at or blown up, unlike poor Daisy.
Daisy Dunlop thinks heir hunting will be an
adventure. The man charged with ensuring her safety thinks it will be murder.
Learn more about Janet at these sites: Website: http://jlsimpson.com/;
